The Daughter of an Empress eBook

Staring and immovably their eyes were now fixed upon
the silent pair sitting in the bright moonlight which
surrounded them as with a glory. One of the men
still holds the dagger in his hand, and with a powerful
arm the other holds him in check. Then they whisper
low together—­they seem to be consulting
as to what is to be done. The man with the dagger
seems to yield to the arguments or persuasions of the
other. He nods his consent. The first disappears
behind the wall, and the armed one slowly follows
him. Yet once again, he glances over the wall,
raising his arm and shaking his dagger toward Natalie
and her friend. Then he disappeared, and all
was again peaceful and still in this smiling paradise!

Was it, perhaps, only an illusive dream that bantered
us, only a fata morgana formed by the moonbeams?
Or does the serpent of evil really lurk about this
paradise? Will destruction find its way into this
charmed garden? Ah, no solitude and no wall can
afford protection against misfortune! It creeps
through the strongest lock, and over the highest wall;
and while we think ourselves safe, it is already there,
close to us, and nearly ready to swallow us up.

THE LETTERS

It was suddenly lively in the garden. Cecil,
Paulo’s old servant, approached from the house,
with a lantern in his hand.

He comes down the alley with hasty steps, and with
an anxious countenance approaches his master.

“What is it, Cecil?”

“Two letters, sir, that have just arrived.
One comes from the hotel of the Russian legation,
and the other from that of the Lord-Cardinal Bernis.”

Paulo shuddered slightly, and his hand involuntarily
grasped after the first letter, but he suddenly constrained
himself, and his glance fell upon Natalie, whose eyes
were fixed with curiosity upon the two letters.

“We will first see what the good Cardinal Bernis
writes us!” said Count Paulo, placing the Russian
letter in his pocket with apparent indifference.

“Bernis?” asked Natalie. “Is
not that the French Cardinal, who is at the same time
a poet, and whom the pope, the great Ganganelli, so
dearly loves?”

“The same,” said Paulo, “and besides,
the same Cardinal Bernis whom I had months ago promised
to allow the pleasure of making your acquaintance!
He already knows you, Natalie, although he has never
yet seen your fair face; he knows you from what I
have told him.”

“Oh, let us quickly see what the good cardinal
writes!” exclaimed Natalie, clapping her hands
with the impatience of a child.

Count Paulo smilingly broke the seal and read the
letter.

“You are in truth a witch,” said he; “you
must have some genius in your service, who listens
to every wish you express, in order to fulfil it without
delay! This letter contains an invitation from
the cardinal. He gives a great entertainment
to-morrow, and begs of me that I will bring you to
it. The improvisatrice Corilla will also be there!”